- Uterine leiomyoma (also known as fibroids) are benign estrogen-dependent tumors of the uterine wall. Uterine fibroids are the most common tumors of the female reproductive tract, occurring in 20-70% of premenopausal women in the reproductive age women and cause multiple clinical complications such as acute and chronic pelvic pain as well as excessive vaginal bleeding and iron deficiency anemia, moreover they are considered as the leading indication for hysterectomy in reproductive age African American (AA) women. The impact of these serious clinical complications on women's health is tremendous. African American women are particularly affected as the prevalence of uterine fibroids is about 4 times higher in that ethnic group compared to Caucasians. Being a major health disparity issue, uterine fibroids appear to further diminish the quality of life for AA women who also suffer from higher incidence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and cancer. Currently there is no effective long-term medicinal treatment for this common disease. GnRH analogues are effective short medical therapy option. However, they are not approved for long-term (more than 3 months) because of the risk of irreversible bone loss and osteoporosis and other major side effects. When these medications are discontinued, the fibroids return to their original size with symptoms recurring, that is why they are FDA approved in uterine fibroids only as preoperative adjuvant to improve the fibroid-related iron-deficiency anemia. Surgery, usually in the form of hysterectomy, is the traditional treatment of women with symptomatic uterine fibroids. Clearly hysterectomy is an effective treatment but it precludes future fertility. This creates a major dilemma for women with symptomatic uterine fibroids who have not completed their families or have not even started a family. Problems with fibroids must be viewed as a public health concern as well as a major health disparity issue. The general public in relation to this problem must be concerned about the: (1) The decrease in the quality of life of women who are affected, and hence the well-being of the whole family; (2) Interference with inter-family dynamics and relationships. Decrease in productivity in the workforce/job performance. Increase in cost of health care caused by the more than 600,000 hysterectomies/Y in USA alone.